2008 Audi A4 Engine Swap. Cross platform compatibility experts enter!

[Stackdeezy]

Hey AZ'ers,

You may have seen a few posts from me about my 2008 Audi A4 Ti 6MQ S-Line. I bought it last year, around this time, and have since put close to 20k on it.

My impression: I. LOVE. THIS. CAR.

It may not be the fastest (APR stg 2 helps) , best handling (though my PSS9 coils and RS4 RSB help), or most modern car in the line up today... I am still utterly impressed by its reliability, fun factor to drive, and when tastefully modded, good looks on the road.

I can't go a week without someone complimenting it, commenting on it, asking me questions etc.

Being that I am going to KILL the value by driving the car as much as I do (Which I'm a big fan of) I figured I would explore something different.

ENGINE SWAPS!!!! So I've been looking into options that I will go over below:

4.2 V8
- Easiest BY FAR (came in this platform in the US)
- Limited amount of mods (compared to other drivetrains in the family)
- Plethora of US spec cars to pull a motor from
- Well documented
- Fairly reliable with correct maintenance
- Sounds very very good :)

2.7TT
- More complicated, especially with the B7 electronics
- Has been done but not as well documented (E.g. Devil's, and that Ibis white one on Gold IND's that I haven't seen ANY documentation on!)
- TONS of motor options, and will bolt to the B7 platform with mounts
- Will bolt to trans with b5 spacer
- TONS of mods, which is a good and bad thing depending on how far down the rabbit hole you want to venture
- Probably the most bang for your buck
- This car should have been made by Audi :(

VR based motor
- Uber complicated
- Tons of motor options
- With enough money ANYTHING is possible

1.8T
- Step back but a PROVEN motor, time and time again
- TONS and TONS and TONS of platforms to source from
- STUPID amounts of mods, again a rabbit hole

Leaning towards this one...

3.0 TDI
- Was available in the B7 in europe so it "should" bolt in
- The 01E bolts so again the 01X should as well
- Fairly reliable motor if you deal with the chains
- TONS of potential for mods, better fuel economy
- This motor in one iteration or another is in about everything TDI
- Electronics are a mystery to me on this... Who knows if the ECU needs to be changed or not? VagCom coding to reconize the TDI motor?
- Its a common rail engine so it'll run for a damn long time

Just wondering what people's thoughts/ideas/comments/suggestions.

Thanks!

[Stackdeezy]

Summer



Winter

[aluthman]

We need moar 2.7T swaps. I want everything well documented and figured out in case I go this route in the future.

[turbo944s2]

I feel your pain I really like the B7 A4, I don't like the newer ones but I like the engine in the newer ones. How much horsepower are you looking to make?

[Charles.waite]

1) 4.2 is NOT the easiest engine swap "by Far". It is however an overrated engine. If you want dat v8 noise though, its pretty awesome.

2) 2.7tt is always a sweet engine, but also not as easy a swap as it would appear at first blush unless you're really good with wiring diagrams, and messing with the ECU/Cluster

3) VR swaps are NOT fun, but they are sort of possible

4) 1.8t is a mixed bag. Yea its got a larger aftermarket, but its not all that different than the 2.0t and you'd be giving up a lot of driveability for a simpler engine that is more mod friendly.

5) 3.0TDI would be baus! But finding one, getting it to work, retrofitting the diesel systems, etc would very likely prove to be a total nightmare, considering you'd have to source everything from overseas and it would likely require modification, all new harnesses, new ECU, lots of expensive stuff...

I think a 2.7t swap is the most viable given the overall cost and amount of information (and how popular a swap it is) on the b6 forum. I would browse around on there, there are a few master threads with TONS of info on the swap.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

if money really isn't an issue OP, i'd scrap everything you posted and go straight with a 3.0T

[Stackdeezy]

Ok... Explain why the 4.2 isn't the easier engine swap out of the ones I've listed. It mounts up, transmission bolts up, is currently used in the USDM B7, widely available... Etc.

Out of the ones I listed it is the easiest...

But like any motor swap it's never "easy" which I understand. Merely easily in comparison:-)

I would LOVE the 2.7tt and already have done extensive research. It's been done and after you sort fueling you're golden. Comfort control controls most things you'd want to keep in the B7 so the wiring is less of a headache than most. You need a b5 ecu without IMMO and converting from returnless is a little of a PITA. It's not that much different from the B6 and I have plenty of folks smarter than I to help the roadblocks.

Ultimately I've been looking at the 3.0TDI. It checks a lot more boxes for me than the 2.7TT. It's more unique and, based on preliminary research, possible:-)

There are so many iterations of the 3.0TDI that should share a similar heritage that sourcing parts could turn out to be simple. If I get a euro BKN ( I think that's the B7 tdi) it'll mount between the rails. It's the ecu, trans and drivetrain I'm curious about. If it ends up being the same as the CABA we use in a ton of VAG platforms here then I think I'll be good!

Lots more research to do. I was hoping someone here would have some insight though. Cause 350 hp and 550ft lbs all while getting 35+mpg would be epic.

1) 4.2 is NOT the easiest engine swap "by Far". It is however an overrated engine. If you want dat v8 noise though, its pretty awesome.

2) 2.7tt is always a sweet engine, but also not as easy a swap as it would appear at first blush unless you're really good with wiring diagrams, and messing with the ECU/Cluster

3) VR swaps are NOT fun, but they are sort of possible

4) 1.8t is a mixed bag. Yea its got a larger aftermarket, but its not all that different than the 2.0t and you'd be giving up a lot of driveability for a simpler engine that is more mod friendly.

5) 3.0TDI would be baus! But finding one, getting it to work, retrofitting the diesel systems, etc would very likely prove to be a total nightmare, considering you'd have to source everything from overseas and it would likely require modification, all new harnesses, new ECU, lots of expensive stuff...

I think a 2.7t swap is the most viable given the overall cost and amount of information (and how popular a swap it is) on the b6 forum. I would browse around on there, there are a few master threads with TONS of info on the swap.

[Stackdeezy]

if money really isn't an issue OP, i'd scrap everything you posted and go straight with a 3.0T

If money wasn't an issue then I'd put a 4.0tt or the 5.2tt:-)

Or say eff that and buy an RS6 avant.

Money is ALWAYS an issue. I don't care who you are:-P

[jsandor91]

if money really isn't an issue OP, i'd scrap everything you posted and go straight with a 3.0T

isn't a 3.0t engine like 10k though ?

if you want the 4.2 buy a s4 it will be cheaper.

i'd say 2.7 swap since like others have said it has been done before.
mightemouce is putting the finishing touches on his swap. so i would check his build thread.

[LINDW4LL]

You can find low-mileage 3.0Ts for ~$4500.

How about a VW 5.0 V10 TDI

[Stackdeezy]

You can find low-mileage 3.0Ts for ~$4500.

How about a VW 5.0 V10 TDI

The temptation for the 3.0Tdi is that it comes in the B7 A4 on Europe. With the right prep "should" be able to have a unique swap:-)

[LINDW4LL]

The temptation for the 3.0Tdi is that it comes in the B7 A4 on Europe. With the right prep "should" be able to have a unique swap:-)

Yes, the 3.0TDI would be fairly straight forward, I'd think. You'd just have to worry about emissions, and even then as long as it is just an OBD2 scan it should pass no problem. No emissions testing in MN though, right?

[jsandor91]

You can find low-mileage 3.0Ts for ~$4500.

How about a VW 5.0 V10 TDI

wow much cheaper then i thought. but what about the ecu transmission etc. i feel like it would become costly very fast where as the 2.7 seems much simpler

[LINDW4LL]

2.7T would definitely be simpler, yes.

[Stackdeezy]

isn't a 3.0t engine like 10k though ?

if you want the 4.2 buy a s4 it will be cheaper.

i'd say 2.7 swap since like others have said it has been done before.
mightemouce is putting the finishing touches on his swap. so i would check his build thread.

Link to said build thread?

I was searching to no avail:-/

4.2 was the bottom of the list. I'd rather build the 2.0T:-)

[mightemouce]

Build thread link in my sig. The fueling aspect of the build is one of the simpler things IMO getting all the components to play nicely together is the challenge.

[vce1232000]

If you build a 2.0T it will run pass the 4.2 and you wont need that expensive ass timing chain jobs.
The 2.7T make some awesome power modded. But to convert into a B7 can be challenging.
1.8T have a vast aftermarket. But I question what gains compared to a 2.0T modded it will really have

[Charles.waite]

Ok... Explain why the 4.2 isn't the easier engine swap out of the ones I've listed. It mounts up, transmission bolts up, is currently used in the USDM B7, widely available... Etc.

Out of the ones I listed it is the easiest...

But like any motor swap it's never "easy" which I understand. Merely easily in comparison:-)

I would LOVE the 2.7tt and already have done extensive research. It's been done and after you sort fueling you're golden. Comfort control controls most things you'd want to keep in the B7 so the wiring is less of a headache than most. You need a b5 ecu without IMMO and converting from returnless is a little of a PITA. It's not that much different from the B6 and I have plenty of folks smarter than I to help the roadblocks.

Ultimately I've been looking at the 3.0TDI. It checks a lot more boxes for me than the 2.7TT. It's more unique and, based on preliminary research, possible:-)

There are so many iterations of the 3.0TDI that should share a similar heritage that sourcing parts could turn out to be simple. If I get a euro BKN ( I think that's the B7 tdi) it'll mount between the rails. It's the ecu, trans and drivetrain I'm curious about. If it ends up being the same as the CABA we use in a ton of VAG platforms here then I think I'll be good!

Lots more research to do. I was hoping someone here would have some insight though. Cause 350 hp and 550ft lbs all while getting 35+mpg would be epic.

The 4.2 will "bolt up" but all the accessories won't. The multiple radiators, all the different plumbing, the ECU, the watercooled Alternator, etc. There are a TON of differences other than the engine mounting points which just happen to be the same. So shoving the 4.2 in the engine bay is easy, its getting it to run in there that is hard. Hard in the sense of VERY expensive and time consuming to track down all the various parts.

The 2.7t fits 100% in the b6/b7 A4 body shell quite easily as it has the same basic dimensions as the 3.0 and 3.2 engines. They use similar accessories as well as similar plumbing. The main difference is the Rad support and the A/C lines that have to be replaced or relocated.

Honestly too, the 4.2 isn't taht great an engine. A Stage 1 2.7t is just as fast if not faster than a stock 4.2, and toss some k04s on there and you're pushing 350whp at least. Its a totally different ballgame than an NA V8...

The 3.0tdi likewise will be tough. Not because custom parts will need to be fabricated, but because nobody in NA knows how to work on that engine, and nobody knows how to fit it. Yea it will likely bolt right in, but then what? How many stupid parts are you going to have to get overnighted from Japan...I mean Germany to get the engine to run in the car? A LOT and it will cost A LOT! Not to mention you'd need a different trans as that much torque would shred a stock 02X tranny. Which would also probably mean new driveshaft and new axles... the amount of things OTHER than the engine makes that swap difficult, fitting the engine is is the easy part.

Can it be done, yea. Is it worth it? Depends on how much money you have, if you have to pass emissions, if you plan to DD your car, if you can afford a LENGTHLY build process and a LOT of headache and setbacks.

I'm not being a debbie downer, just being realistic. People in the B7 forum LOVE to get all excited and say "ZOMG put a 5.2TT" or "DOOD put a Veyron engine in there!!!!!1111" but realistically, even if the engine CAME in the car in another country there are still large obstacles to getting it to run in YOUR car.

[B72011]

I laugh at these threads. Realistically 95% of the people who start and or read these threads would never even attempt the work required at switching engines.
You want a faster car---buy one--either a newer more powerful car--or chip it and add all the goodies--turbo, bigger displacement, exhaust, etc etc...........

[Inked]

I laugh at these threads. Realistically 95% of the people who start and or read these threads would never even attempt the work required at switching engines.
You want a faster car---buy one--either a newer more powerful car--or chip it and add all the goodies--turbo, bigger displacement, exhaust, etc etc...........

This.

I think this everytime I read one of these, that's why I rarely post in a thread like this.

[vce1232000]

Sometimes yaa gotta read stuff like this to get a laugh and keeps yourself entertained ......lol

[Jake@JHM]

But a JHM Superchargerd 4.2l is a different story

S4 4.2L

[vce1232000]

But a JHM Superchargerd 4.2l is a different story

S4 4.2L

Hell YEAH................Who eva better have sum real deep pockets also. At least 10k just in parts

[Jake@JHM]

Yeah and that's only on 6PSI. The blower we use is rated for 800hp.

[Charles.waite]

I laugh at these threads. Realistically 95% of the people who start and or read these threads would never even attempt the work required at switching engines.
You want a faster car---buy one--either a newer more powerful car--or chip it and add all the goodies--turbo, bigger displacement, exhaust, etc etc...........

But dat 5.2TT doe!!!

But a JHM Superchargerd 4.2l is a different story

S4 4.2L

[Stackdeezy]

I laugh at these threads. Realistically 95% of the people who start and or read these threads would never even attempt the work required at switching engines.
You want a faster car---buy one--either a newer more powerful car--or chip it and add all the goodies--turbo, bigger displacement, exhaust, etc etc...........

You're are 110% correct.

Most people can't or won't try this!

And normally I wouldn't post and just do it, like I did (or am currently In process) in my E36 :-) but that's a pretty easy swap.

I posted this discussion mostly because I was hoping someone would have some insight into the B7 3.0TDI. Sometimes there is a surprising nugget of knowledge on this here interwebz machine.

Realistically this isn't going to happen until summer 2015 being I have quite a few things going on that won't lend themselves to the time constraints to an in depth build. But I digress!

[Stackdeezy]

The 4.2 will "bolt up" but all the accessories won't. The multiple radiators, all the different plumbing, the ECU, the watercooled Alternator, etc. There are a TON of differences other than the engine mounting points which just happen to be the same. So shoving the 4.2 in the engine bay is easy, its getting it to run in there that is hard. Hard in the sense of VERY expensive and time consuming to track down all the various parts.

The 2.7t fits 100% in the b6/b7 A4 body shell quite easily as it has the same basic dimensions as the 3.0 and 3.2 engines. They use similar accessories as well as similar plumbing. The main difference is the Rad support and the A/C lines that have to be replaced or relocated.

Honestly too, the 4.2 isn't taht great an engine. A Stage 1 2.7t is just as fast if not faster than a stock 4.2, and toss some k04s on there and you're pushing 350whp at least. Its a totally different ballgame than an NA V8...

The 3.0tdi likewise will be tough. Not because custom parts will need to be fabricated, but because nobody in NA knows how to work on that engine, and nobody knows how to fit it. Yea it will likely bolt right in, but then what? How many stupid parts are you going to have to get overnighted from Japan...I mean Germany to get the engine to run in the car? A LOT and it will cost A LOT! Not to mention you'd need a different trans as that much torque would shred a stock 02X tranny. Which would also probably mean new driveshaft and new axles... the amount of things OTHER than the engine makes that swap difficult, fitting the engine is is the easy part.

Can it be done, yea. Is it worth it? Depends on how much money you have, if you have to pass emissions, if you plan to DD your car, if you can afford a LENGTHLY build process and a LOT of headache and setbacks.

I'm not being a debbie downer, just being realistic. People in the B7 forum LOVE to get all excited and say "ZOMG put a 5.2TT" or "DOOD put a Veyron engine in there!!!!!1111" but realistically, even if the engine CAME in the car in another country there are still large obstacles to getting it to run in YOUR car.

I was more thinking about the engine exist as an OEM offering. Buying a whole car as a swap would be the way to go. I've learned my lesson several times in the past.

Same way I'd do the 2.7T swap. Donor car and all that.

I are where you are coming from and I would tend to agree but having done less than sufficient amounts of research on the 4.2 swap I'm not comfortable arguing this point.

The 2.7t seems like Audi has always intended it to be between the rails. Things seem to WANT to fit!

Any major undertaking like a motor swap is all about planning before execution.

You also have a good point on the 3.0TDI being probably a ton of work. But I'm not ready to give up on that. Especially if it has the common links to the 3.0TDI that's currently offered I HOPE it does. I'll post my findings either way. Probably a pipe dream but it would be THE shit if I could make it work.

And I've noticed that an extreme motor swap is the wet dream of a lot of keyboard jockeys on most forums. V10 diesel or gas isn't worth the trouble or $$$ but damn it's fun to dream:-)

Zomg and all that:-)

[Stackdeezy]

But a JHM Superchargerd 4.2l is a different story

S4 4.2L

Thanks for that!!!! Lol

[Jake@JHM]

Thanks for that!!!! Lol

Yeah! or do a VR6-T Swap

[Stackdeezy]

Yeah! or do a VR6-T Swap

That too:-)

Talk about a complicated swap! :-)